Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Vulnerability of Water Resources to Drought Risk in Southeastern of Morocco: Case Study of Ziz Basin

Version 1 : Received: 1 August 2023 / Approved: 2 August 2023 / Online: 2 August 2023 (14:42:28 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Ben Salem, S.; Ben Salem, A.; Karmaoui, A.; Yacoubi Khebiza, M. Vulnerability of Water Resources to Drought Risk in Southeastern Morocco: Case Study of Ziz Basin. Water 2023, 15, 4085, doi:10.3390/w15234085. Ben Salem, S.; Ben Salem, A.; Karmaoui, A.; Yacoubi Khebiza, M. Vulnerability of Water Resources to Drought Risk in Southeastern Morocco: Case Study of Ziz Basin. Water 2023, 15, 4085, doi:10.3390/w15234085.

Abstract

water resources in Morocco have been severely influenced by climate change (CC) and pro-longed drought, particularly, in the pre-Saharan zone. The Tafilalet region faces increasing pres-sure due to high demographic growth, increased demand for water, excessive groundwater con-sumption, and investment in agriculture. Using the Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP), this study assessed land cover and elevation and created future scenarios using the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standard Groundwater Level Index (SGI) to monitor hy-droclimate drought conditions in the Ziz watershed from 1989 to 2022. Results show decreasing precipitation, particularly from 2010-2020, with the last four years being the most challenging (SPI<-2). SPI and SGI have a high correlation, suggesting precipitation impacts groundwater in-dicators. Future scenarios predict a high risk of CC, with a 30% decrease in annual precipitation accumulation by 2100 under the optimistic scenario SSP126. Minimum temperature is expected to increase by 1.08°C (SSP126) and 2.61°C (SSP585), and maximum temperature by 1.05°C (SSP126) and 2.93°C (SSP585). Keywords: Climate Change, Water Resources, SPI, SGI, WEAP, Ziz watershed, Drought

Keywords

Climate Change, Water Resources, SPI, SGI, WEAP, Ziz watershed, Drought

Subject

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

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